Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-17

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too, to ask her on the way houe tho
question which all the day. and for
many days, had been trembling on his
lips, but there was a new expression in
her eyes and mouth which instantly
told him this was not the time to plead
his cause.
Had that fellow inside, who bowed so
like a gentleman, been otherwise than
a workman, he might have suspected
him as in some way responsible. 1t
was quite singular enough as it was
that Miss Willoughby should have adj
dressed him as friend. Doubtless
some man who had seen better days.
and for whom she felt womanly pity.
"Can see Mr.. Thornley?''
The mistress of the humble little cot
tage in one of the suburbs of the large
city looked up amazed at the beautiful
young lady who asked the question.
'Indeed, I suppose you may. He's
gone up to his room, where he spends
all his evenings, and not bit of sup
per tonight has he touched. Shall !
call him DOWN."
''No; let me go to him."
'sIt's the first room to the right OF
the stairs, miss. He is the only ledger
l have, and YOU are his first VISITOR
But the girl needed not the words. A
strange vision she surely was as she
stood an instant outside his door, clad
in costly velvet and rich furs. Then
she softly turned the handle and en-
tered. He did not hear her. He had
thrown himself upon his sofa and
buried his head in its cushions. He
was so still, SO mOtionless, she thought
he must be sleeping. She swiftly
crossed the room. and laying her hand
on his shoulder, called his name.
my Godr' he cried, and would have
started to his feet. but she held him
back, falling on her knees beside him.
"Chester," she pleaded, "you would
not come to me. My pride is less than
yours, my love greater. I have come
to you. Did you think my heart ut
tered the unworthy words for which
you have punished me all these years?
l have tried to find you so long-so
long and hopelessly."
And she bowed her beautiful head
and sobbed outright.
flush, dear, hush! You should not
have come here, Marion. 1t might
compromise you"
"Compromise me with my future
husbands? See, Chester" and she held
up the hand on which cleaned the
ring, Il have never accepted my free
DOM"
"My own brave girl" he said, his
voice softening even while he girded
himself up for the strength of which
he stood in such need. ''But the
heaven you open for me can not be.
l am foreman of the works where you
saw me to-day, Marion. My knowl-
edge and love of machinery stood me
in good stead. heard of this opening
and secured it. To-day was adjust
ing some difficult piece of work 1
| Cu lIot " u uSO W ally WI
in receipt of liberal salary, which 1
am laying aside, dear, living as poorly
as l can, hoping one day to buy an
interest in the business. One or two
improvements have made are rapidly
attaining me the goal, but it is still far
off. / can not ask YOU to wait, nor to
forget the years of labor which have
helped me to reach it."
Ihave waited already too long. Ches-
ter" she whispered. I'm ready now
to become your wife,
His face grew deadly white.
"Oh, Chester" she said, ''when l
have so much money why are you so
cruel and SO proud?''
ri can not 20 back to a life of ease
and dependence, he answered, 'even
with you, dear love, to brighten it.
Bless you for coming to me, MariOn!
Bless you for showing me all noble
woman can be! The memory of this
hour will tighten all the future years.
Chester, you do not understand me, ;"
she persisted. Il will forget that have
a single penny in the world except
what you give me. Twill share what
ever home you offer me-even this.
For better, for worse, darling, we
pledged ourselves as sacredly as though
we stood before Gods altar. In God s
sight am your wife. 1claim my right
to share your dark days as well as those
on which the sun of prosperity may
shine"
He strOve to answer, but his voice
broke. She had conquered, but,
woman-like, she gave him the glory of
her victory as she sobbed out her hap
piness upon his heart.
A month later there was quiet we'd
ding. at which there were neither flow
ers norbridesmaids nor music; but Mar
ion Willoughby missed nothing. 1t was
only after the ceremony had been per-
formed that Chester showed her doc
ument which had been his wedding
gift from the firm he had served so